Birtley have been a club of recent times split down the middle when it comes to achievement.

While the junior section boasts a stockpile of fighters who regularly win national and international competitions, the seniors have struggled to make an impact.

Where once they produced ABA champions, they have been decimated by many of their top performers such as Jon-Lewis and Travis Dickinson, Craig Dixon and Martin Ward going professional while the likes of Gary Barr have retired.

However at long last they can boast a senior national winner.

Jake Slater, who is at Northumbria University, has won the Open Class under 60kg University Championships final where he defeated West Ham’s Sam Bezzina.

It was a double triumph because Slater was making his Birtley debut after being out through injury for 10 months.

“Jake has produced our first senior success for a number of years, possibly seven years,” said Birtley coach Graeme Rutherford.

“We’re building up that section of the club and with what we’ve got coming through the juniors it should become strong again.”

Of the fight, Rutherford added: “Bezzina is a very experienced lad who has boxed for years while Jake was debuting for Birtley after 10 months out through injury. He used to represent Sunderland ABC.

“In a tight first round, Jake scored with some great shots but dropped shots after punching and switching off, which was understandable as he was ring-rusty.

“Jake started getting into his stride in the second and was hitting Bezzina cleanly down the middle.

“Slater had to step on the gas in the last round which he did with good left-hook, right-hand counters to run out winner. Admittedly it was a messy bout, although the score of 4-1 majority was a bit surprising.”